Independence Health System Hospital

They say you only have one chance to make a good first impression, Dr. Gagne pasted with flying colors! I have only had my initial visit with him but have attended his group meetings and between himself and his staff, they are very helpful and sincere.
I would recommend him to others based on bedside manners alone.
As far as after care, although I have yet to experience it, he stresses the importance of it and does have a structured program.
As I continue towards my surgery and have more involvement with Dr. Gagne, I will update my thoughts of him.
He came very highly recommended to me by several of his other patients.

I have had my surgery and am almost 1 week post-op. Dr. Gagne is a wonderful person as well as an extremely good surgeon. He is a very passionate man. My husband has meet with him both times I have seen him in his office and was pleased with the type of doctor he is and the day of the surgery my son, mother and sister had the pleasure of meeting him and too were pleased with him. He took the time to meet with my family after the surgery and explain to them how things went and answered any of there questions. I am sure he will be just as involved with my after care. I am most pleased with our choice for him as my surgeon. Also his office staff and P.A., Julie are also terrific!

There were a few times from my release and before my first post-op that I had questions and I either called or e-mailed the office and got a very quick response. I still am very pleased with him as a doctor.

At over 8 months post op, I find nothing negative to say about Dr. Gagne or his staff.
My experience with all of them has been only postitive. So much so that 3 of my co-workers are have him perform their surgery! Everyone I have talked to truly like this man. He is very confident about his abilities and is a perfectionist, to me all the makings of a good surgeon. I give him a +10!!!!

I meet with Dr Gagne June 14. My first impression was what a kind , wonderful, understanding surgeon. He has a great staff. and a Physican Assitant julie that is beyond patient. I am very impressed with the staff they are all friendly and out going. I am schuduled for surgery July 30 2002. A new beginning.
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Their is nothing negative that I can say about this Surgeon or his staff. They only issue that I would like to bring foward to any one reading this that still think about the surgery. IS. Call now for an appointment you will have a time rethink before your appointment. I hear the appointments are almost a year waiting time.
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Ok I changed surgeons. I have my first appt on May 31.I was on 2 dr list and Dr Schauer at the time had a lighter schudule and more infomration. My insurance company United Healthcare did not have Dr Schaurer as partcipating surgeon
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Dr Schaurer Information
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I made my first call to his office Thanksgiving week
2001. I was told I would recieve a package with information. The package arrived Dec 16. I read through the information. I finally got up the nerve to complete the basic information on Dec 24 2001.
I recieved a call from his office Dec 26 2001, but missedthe call. It looks like their is a issue with my insurance.
I am waiting for them to return my return call.
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The New Year is just beginning I recieved a call from Dr Schauer Office advising my insurance coverage does not cover UPMC or Dr Schauer.
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1/10/02 Hey I got a call from Dr Schauer, somehow I am still on the list. They are calling to schudule appointment to
meet the doctors. I am happy and confused. I thought my insurance does not cover UPMC or Dr Schauer. I spoke with Ruth she is very nice. She said call my insurance to double check she believes United is covered. I will check and see. She also suggest I attending the informal meeting with the surgeons, doctor and staff."yippee". I am scared and maybe on my way.

DR GAGNE IS A VERY FRIENDLY,KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CONCERNED DOCTOR. HE IS VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT THE WORK HE DOES AND TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN INSURING HIS PATIENTS WELL BEING. I FEEL I'M IN GOOD HANDS AND WITH GOD I'M SURE I WILL HAVE A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY. JULIE THE PHYSICIANS ASSISTANT IS ALSO WONDERFUL AND THEY ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND MAKE YOU FEEL AT EASE. THE OFFICE IS NEVER CROWDED AND THE WAIT FROM MY FIRST APPOINTMENT TO SURGERY WAS NOT LONG. THE OFFICE STAFF IS SOMETIMES NOT THE NICEST PEOPLE OVER THE PHONE. DR GAGNE DOES GO OVER THE RISKS INVOLVED AND HE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HE CAN ONLY MAKE THE PHYSICAL CHANGES EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ON YOUR WILL AND DETERMINATION. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS FINALLY HERE JUNE 17TH!!!

When I went for my first appointment, Dr. Gagne was in the same office with our family surgeons. Thats when I felt comfortable with my decision to do this. But when I met him, thats when I knew he was the right doctor,for me.He made me fill good about surgery. He explained everything, all the good along with what could go wrong. Took all the time needed to answer questions, as busy as he is,I felt like I was his only patient. His PA Julie is every bit as nice. She to will take time to anwser any questions you may have.
The third monday of each month, Dr. Gagne and Julie hold a support group meeting at West Penn Hospital at 6:00pm.
Julie presents a slide show of what to expect and how the surgery is done. Then it questions and answer time.

I have my first appointment with Dr. Maalouf on Feb. 15th. I am so anxious I can't wait to get things started.

I have seen Doctor Maalouf various times since my first posting and I must say that he is everything I have been told. He is very nice, friendly, informative, attentive, and makes things easy to understand. The staff has been very nice as well. Sherri took care of everything for me and explained step by step what to do through out my testing. I never had to deal with the insurance company, they took care of it for me. It only took 2 weeks for my approval and my surgery is in one week.

I was most impressed by Dr. Gagne.
I will have to enter additional information after my surgery. Dr. Gagne is now starting a support group for his patients.

I had my consultation on June 27 with Dr. Gagne. I was very impressed. He is very kind, compassionate and informative. He doesn't tell you just what you want to hear. He tells you the good and the bad. I had my surgery on Aug. 9, 2001. My sister had surgery 4 days after me. She has had some major complications. He has been great. He has kept us informed and updated. He is a very compassionate man. Believe me, my sister has been in ICU for over 2 weeks and it is important to have a surgeon that is compassionate. Dr. Gagne is a wonderful surgeon. I would highly recommend him.

I had my first consult w/ Dr. Gagne yesterday and came away with a very good impression of him and the staff that I spoke to. He took the time to answer my whole page full of questions, and also to explain the surgery to me, the risks, and what he would do specifically based on my weight. They were on-time (actually, they took me a little early!) and I met with his PA, as well as the woman who schedules the surgery, and even the insurance person who discussed with me what I would need for approval. It made me feel very comfortable that all these people seemed to know what they were doing! My only suggestion would be to research your vitamins. I'm planning on using a different form of calcium (citrate), and adding iron.

I have met with my PCP, and he thought it was a good idea to make an appointment with Dr. Schauer and discuss surgery. They called Dr. Schauer's office for me and gave the referral. I have received my information packet and returned my worksheet. I'm waiting for the office to contact me to review my worksheet and make an appointment to meet Dr. Schauer.

I was very impressed with Dr. Gagne and his staff. They were wonderful even considering all the pestering I did to have my appt. moved up. The girls in the office were wonderful. My appt. for consult did get moved up and I had my appt. on May 19 and was scheduled for surgery ond Aug. 13.I really appreciated how he went over all of his experiences with some of his patients who may have had difficulties. I know through prayer I found this man to do my surgery(also my sister,4 days before me).Every time we went to his office we were taken right on time.(1st miracle) Showed much concern in hospital before and after surgery and also to my family. I don't have enough space here to tell you how wonderful this Dr. has been!